Radio for APRS - fixed use.

[GlobalNorth]

I occasionally run APRS in my vehicles and have Yaesu FTM-400s. I'm finally getting around to doing a digipeater, but the 400 is no longer available new and APRS radios seem to be on the decline as well as expensive.

eBay is not something I want to deal with and a warranty is what I'm looking for. Suggestions for someone with declining vision and who doesn't want to pay nearly a $1,000 for the radio, accessories, and incidentals?

 

[N5ZKK]

I use my FT-50r connected to a Kantronics KAMPlus and before that an old Icom IC-2 HT. This is low power and it has run 24/7 since 1997.

 

[AK9R]

The market for mobile radios with APRS built-in is very thin right now.

Kenwood -- TM-D710 discontinued a few years ago. TM-D750 is in prototype stages and might be out by end of this year with a price that may be closed to $1000.

Vero (VGC) -- VR-N7500 ($200) apparently has a KISS TNC built-in and folks are making this work with an APRS app running on a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Yaesu -- FTM-510D ($550) and FTM-510DASP ($600) has built-in APRS, but does not have external access to the TNC. All other Yaesu APRS-capable mobile radios have been discontinued.

I think my choice would be a land-mobile VHF radio, such as Kenwood TK-7180, wired to an external TNC (Argent Data or Byonics) or an external sound card adapter (Masters Communications DRA or Mobilind or Digirig) connected to a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

 

[k7ng]

I have tried the Icom IC-5100 with an external TNC and it works, but it was only a test, didn't fit my use situation. The 5100 has GPS but not APRS built-in.
What I actually USE for mobile APRS is a Kenwood TH-D74a HT with a mobile amp that gives me 20W up the pipe. All you need is in the radio except the watts.

 

[N5ZKK]

My digi get's good coverage of the area. This is with my FT-2d this morning. I also have APRS in the truck with the moblink, FT-847, 5/8 wave antenna but it requires my tablet to be running with APRS droid. Normally I take the FT-2d in my airplane using the belly mounted antenna but my flying days are about over.
The home digi is running on a Pi3 -> Kantronics KAMPlus to an FT-50r and a 3 element beam pointed down the valley. I also have a weather station connected to the Pi3.

 

[PrivatelyJeff]

The market for mobile radios with APRS built-in is very thin right now.

Kenwood -- TM-D710 discontinued a few years ago. TM-D750 is in prototype stages and might be out by end of this year with a price that may be closed to $1000.

Vero (VGC) -- VR-N7500 ($200) apparently has a KISS TNC built-in and folks are making this work with an APRS app running on a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Yaesu -- FTM-510D ($550) and FTM-510DASP ($600) has built-in APRS, but does not have external access to the TNC. All other Yaesu APRS-capable mobile radios have been discontinued.

I think my choice would be a land-mobile VHF radio, such as Kenwood TK-7180, wired to an external TNC (Argent Data or Byonics) or an external sound card adapter (Masters Communications DRA or Mobilind or Digirig) connected to a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

I’d go with a commercial grade radio as well and a controller from microsat. Get the breakout cable for the radio, connect the appropriate leads to the controller cable and with some simple programming, you’re good to go.

If you want a more turnkey option, they also make units that have a radio built in that’s at a low power.

 

[jeepsandradios]

I run LMR radios. Motorola are easiset to interface but I know I've used ICOM and others in the past. The CDM750 is a solid little standalone LMR radio and is what most of my Digis are running.

 

[AK9R]

I like the Kenwood TK-7180. DB-25 connector on the back of the radio has all the signals you need to interface with an external modem or sound card adapter.

 

[kk9h]

I have had excellent service with a digipeater I built for my local ham club. It was built from a Kantronics KPC3+ TNC, a Motorola VHF-hi 45 watt mobile radio (I don’t remember the model) and an Astron power supply. This APRS digi has been running continuously for well over 12 years without a single problem or site visit required. Can’t beat that.

 

[mmckenna]

Motorola VHF-hi 45 watt mobile radio (I don’t remember the model) and an Astron power supply.

I was going to recommend the same thing. I've got a GM-300 sitting here that I've had for years. Not the best radio in the world, but a solid radio. It's been sitting in my garage for a few years now looking for an application. Haven't found it yet, and I have no need for APRS. I did program it up a while back and tried to sell it at a ham fest, but no luck. I even put 144.39 in it, all someone had to do was hook it up.

@GlobalNorth for the cost of shipping, I'll happily send it on down south to you.

 

[mikewazowski]

I use a CDM750 for a fixed digipeater.

 

[GlobalNorth]

Thanks to all for their recommendations and suggestions.
I was digging in my E-Junque box and found a Microsat WX3in1 Mini that I got years ago.

@mmckenna - I'll get back to you this evening and thanks for the very kind offer!

​

 

[mmckenna]

@mmckenna - I'll get back to you this evening and thanks for the very kind offer!

​

Pretty sure it's programmed with a bunch of 2 meter simplex, 144.39 and the 7 NOAA channels. It's got the 16 pin rear connector for adding your TNC. Mic, power cord and bracket included. I'll toss in the 16 pin connector and some jumpers.

You might need the GP300 software to set up the pin function for your needs, but that software is "out there" and the ribless cables are cheap. Just need yourself a crusty old Windoze machine.

 

[merlin]

I have an XG-100M in a console ans an older Kantronics TNC. Works just fine but don't do much APRS.